AP TEAM Term Paper Project: Outline Format

I.              Introductory paragraph and THESIS (about ½ page)

 

II.            Biography (about 2-3 pages)

                What shaped your person and his/her essential arguments and actions?

·         Focus on proving how various forces helped to create your unique person.  Prove the forces behind their arguments.

A.   PERSONAL FACTORS: upbringing, family life, education, most influential people and events,

B.   SOCIETAL FACTORS: politics, society, technology, religion, culture, economy, conflicts, the arts, etc.

C.   SOCIETAL FACTORS: politics, society, technology, religion, culture, economy, conflicts, the arts, etc.

(D.    SOCIETAL FACTORS: politics, society, technology, religion, culture, economy, conflicts, the arts, etc.)*

 

III.           Predominant Arguments and Rhetorical/Style Analysis (about 5 pages)

                What were his/her essential arguments and works (A thorough discussion of the literary and/or social concerns/philosophies

of this writer and how his/her works reflect these views.)? 

What were the rhetorical strategies employed by your person in his/her arguments and works (Analysis of stylistic aspects (choose only those that apply): structure of the works (analysis of rhetorical strategies), characterization, diction (impressive and commanding use of words), important and relevant syntactic features, figurative language, sound devices, point of view, mood, use of pathos, etc.)?

·         Use short summaries of the author’s works when necessary to discuss author’s arguments.  Quotes/short passages from the works that you have read should be integrated into the four subtopics.  Blend and punctuate quotations carefully!  DO NOT PAD YOUR PAPER WITH NEEDLESS QUOTATIONS.

·         Choose one of the following formats to best fit your needs for this movement:*

                Sample Format #1                 Sample Format #2                 Sample Format #3

                Rhetorical Strategy                              Author’s arguments                            Author’s works

                A. Argument(s)                                    A. Arguments                                       A. Argument(s)

                     Overview/intro.                                    Overview/intro.                                    Overview/intro.

                B. Strategy or element                         B. Argument #1                                    B. Work #1

                     1. Work                                                 1. Work and strategy                           1. Strategy

                     2. Work                                                  2. Work and strategy                           2. Strategy       

                C. Strategy or element                         C. Argument #2                                    C. Work #2

                     1. Work                                                  1. Work and strategy                           1. Strategy

                     2. Work                                                  2. Work and strategy                           2. Strategy

                D. Strategy or element                         D. Argument #3                                    D. Work #3

     1. Work                                                  1. Work and strategy                           1. Strategy

     2. Work                                                  2. Work and strategy                           2. Strategy       

 

IV.           Discussion of literary criticism on the author’s works and explanation of author’s overall impact on

American society  (about 2-3 pages)

                What were, are, or are likely to be the legacies and literary contributions of his/her works on American society?

·         Consider: research on opinions of the author’s works and contributions, a logical context/organization to present these published criticisms, contribution to the literature/politics/popular culture of his/her country, contribution to history of literature in general, universality of author’s themes, and aesthetic value (popular appeal) of author’s works.

·         Blend in opinions from expert historians or literary critics where they will be particularly effective.  Your careful handling of these various criticisms will have a serious impact on the cohesiveness of your paper.

A.      Legacy #1 (including evidence/support from historical and/or literary experts)

B.       Legacy #2 (including evidence/support from historical and/or literary experts)

C.       Legacy #3 (including evidence/support from historical and/or literary experts)

(D.    Legacy #4 (including evidence/support from historical and/or literary experts))*

 

V.            Conclusion (about ½ page)

 

VI.           Works Cited

·         10+ sources: at least one major work, one major and one minor work, or 3 shorter works PLUS 7 to 9 academic/hard sources (totaling at least10).  Other sources like web sites may count as additional sources.*

VII.         Annotated Bibliography

·         Include all sources cited and those read or consulted during your research that were not included in the Works Cited page.  Write a one-sentence description of each source.

 

* See the teachers if you have questions on these four points.  Some flexibility and student discretion is to be expected.